Unsure about which cap type you need? CLICK HERE to view our guide about cap types and LED light bulbs with information about retrofit versus integrated LED downlights.

Downlight Type

Recessed downlights are available in different types such as fixed, adjustable and bathroom (IP65).

Fixed downlights shine the light in one direction which is straight down. Adjustable downlights allow you to direct the light onto a specific object or area of the room. IP65 downlights are used in bathrooms but many modern integrated LED downlights are now IP65 as standard meaning they can be used anywhere!

There are many other variations of these such as adjustable IP65 downlights etc. CLICK HERE for more information.

In any building where people maybe living or inhabiting above, the ceiling below must be fire rated. Fire rated downlights are used to restore the fire integrity of a ceiling.

Insulation Coverable

In order to achieve Part L Compliance (energy efficiency) you shouldn't cut around thermal insulation. If you do this your home or building will not be energy efficient as valuable heat will escape through the hole of the downlight. A downlight can act like a chimney and draw out warm, rising air from a room, up into the cold space above, the effect would be worse in upper floors containing lofts.

Insulation coverable downlights allow you to place thermal insulation directly on top of them.

Beam Angle

Every light source from an LED to a simple wax candle has got a beam angle. A beam angle is a measurement of how the light is distributed. GU10 LEDs and recessed downlights have a fairly narrow beam of around 40 degrees, anything within 5 degrees of this is the industry standard.

A wax candle or traditional light bulb would have a beam angle of 360 degrees as the light shines all the way around but is less intense.

Colour Temperature

Unlike halogens, LED’s are available in various colour temperatures. Colour temperature is a measurement of appearance not brightness.

Choosing the right one can have a dramatic effect on a room. Here is a brief description of the main three:

2700K - Extra warm white. This is similar to a traditional GLS light bulb or halogen. Not all LEDs are available in this colour temperature. This is often referred to as ‘soft white’.

3000K - Warm white is clearer in appearance but still quite warm. This is the ‘new norm’ for general lighting and is the most popular option. If you’re unsure I’d recommend trying this one.

4000K - Cool white is much clearer in appearance and more frequently used in commercial locations. Cool white appears brighter than warm white as the LED is covered in less phosphor. It can make a room appear cold and clinical but can make a room appear clean and ultra modern.

Dimmable

Most lights such as halogen are dimmable as standard but some LEDs are available in dimmable or cheaper non dimmable versions. In the near future all LEDs will be dimmable as standard but for the time being you can save a bit of money by selecting non dimmable if you don't plan to dim them.

Some integrated LED downlights are available in dimmable or non dimmable for the fixed version, but the matching adjustable version is only available in dimmable.

Wattage

Wattage represents the energy consumption of an electrical product. It doesn't always represent the brightness!

Ideally you want a lower energy LED that produces the most amount of lumens. Lumens represents brightness and is a unit that can be compared between different light sources like halogen or CFL versus LED for example.

Compare Products

Downlight Covers and Accessories from Downlights.co.ukHere at Downlights.co.uk, we stock a range of downlight accessories for your perusal including fire hoods, hole converters and downlight covers. We go above and beyond to enhance your shopping experience and take the hassle out of lighting your home by providing you with everything you need in one convenient place.Fire Hoods and MoreHere at Downlights.co.uk, we have everything you need to light your property safely and efficiently. We are proud to provide our loyal customers with fire hoods, downlight covers and more all at affordable, everyday prices. We keep our accessories collection well stocked so that you always find exactly what you need on our site. Shop with us for the following:

Fire Hoods

Hole Converters

Insulation Cover Caps

Loft Caps

LED Drivers & Power Supplies

Low voltage transformers

Cable connectors

This is only a small selection of our downlight accessories. If you can’t see the product you desire on our site, get in touch and see how we can help. Our team have a wealth of experience when it comes to downlights and we are always happy to share our expertise with our customers. Looking for Downlight Accessories? We Stock All of This and MoreBrowse our complete collection of hole converters, downlight covers and fire hoods and place an order with us at the touch of a button. Shop online with us today.